By boat from Manila to Cebu

Of course you can cover the distance between Manila and Cebu a lot faster by air, but that is a lot less fun and challenging than the trip by boat.

You can view and book the various options regarding departure, time and cabin via the 2Go Travel site. If you are staying in Manila, you can also book the trip through a 2Go office. At Robinsons Ermita you will find such a booking office at the Adriatico Wing. Advise to book a Cabin or if you are traveling with two very luxurious one State room. To give an impression about the price; for a place to sleep in the Cabin which you share with the four of you with 2×2 bunk beds, you pay all-in 1700 pesos or 28 euros for the 24-hour trip including breakfast and lunch. You must check in 4 hours before departure.

To the boat

This afternoon take a taxi that will drop me off at pier 4 North Harbor Delpan Tondo in the harbor. On the way there, when you get near the harbor, you should give your eyes a good living and realize how rich we are. As usual at an airport, the luggage and you as a passenger also undergo a security check in the port. But then: one of the staff members asks me to follow him after check-in and takes me to the VIP room. With my Cabin ticket of 28 euros I'm suddenly promoted to someone important. A little later, boarding - the VIPs have priority - starts and I look up at St. Leo the Great. A row of porters from 2Go is ready to assist in bringing the luggage upstairs. Marvel at the ease with which one of the men carries my suitcase on his shoulder up quite a few stairs to the top deck and neatly deposits it at Cabin 203.

St Leo the Great

The Philippines is undoubtedly the showpiece of the Roman Church. The name of the ship already refers to a former Pope and it is hard to imagine; there is even a small room decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary and other Roman attributes where you can sink into prayer in seclusion. The difference with Thailand is not that big in that respect. In contrast to Bangkok, where taxi drivers decorate their cars with all kinds of Buddha statues, taxi drivers in the Philippines decorate their dashboard with a statue of Mary and hang a rosary on the mirror.

Classification ship

In addition to the Cabins and State rooms mentioned, the other sleeping places mainly consist of large rooms with bunk beds. The ship is, according to my observation, fully booked. Long queues form for meals except for; yes, the VIPs who can use a neat restaurant. It also clearly indicates the financial situation of most of the Philippines. There is also a modest bar where a trio produces more than loud music and completely unsuitable for my ears. Especially given the large number, seen through my less young eyes, mainly young passengers, it is exemplary neat and clean everywhere. The cleaning service is regularly busy keeping every spot tidy, including the toilets.

A calm sea

It gives a pleasant feeling to gaze over the very calm sea at nightfall and warm weather. You relax completely and at an early time you go to bed to get up early in the morning to let your gaze glide over the wide sea at sunrise. On the aft deck I watch the broad stream that St. Leo the Great leaves behind. Sea air brings peace and makes me sleepy, so at certain times I dive into my bed again. The idea that I would share the cabin with three beautiful ladies has not come true. There were only two of them who undoubtedly never took part in a beauty pageant. The fourth was a guy, very nice by the way, which I also have to admit about both ladies.

Arrival in Cebu

Around eight o'clock in the evening we moor in the harbor of Cebu. As in every port, a lot of activity here. The disembarkation goes fairly quickly and on deck a horde of porters is ready to bring the luggage ashore. Slavely follow the procession of passengers to the exit where taxis are waiting. I will not negotiate an offer from one of them to take me to the St. Mark Hotel for 300 pesos, about five euros. Half an hour later I move into my room and spend the next few days checking out what Cebu City has in store. Oddly enough, I didn't see a single Westerner on the boat.